Microsoft "Unapologetic" For Sweeping Xbox Live Bans

[chronobreak]

Somebody, somewhere is alread working on a workaround for this. To most pirates, I assume this would be nothing more than a temporary setback, and Microsoft waving around their victory flag is going to do nothing but give the pirates more reason to go after them. I don't see why they can't take this victory in humility.

 

[davidboring]

Ah! So it bans the hardware and not the account. That's good to hear. Of course that means Microsoft has some way of tapping directly into individual systems to check for modifications, I assume.

This slightly worries me. Actually, it worries me quite a lot. Don't get me wrong, I'm no modder, I'm just really into mah civul liberteez.

 

[Standby]

No-one should be complaining really.

Want to mod? Stick with a PC.

 

[esperandote]

MS wasn't being nice keeping the account is just their way of encouraging people to buy a new console

 

[300lb. Samoan]

Ah! So it bans the hardware and not the account. That's good to hear. Of course that means Microsoft has some way of tapping directly into individual systems to check for modifications, I assume.

This slightly worries me. Actually, it worries me quite a lot. Don't get me wrong, I'm no modder, I'm just really into mah civul liberteez.

True that - I'd normally be really skeptical about getting Windows 7, but my desktop needs a new OS so bad I don't care anymore if Big Bill takes a peek at my hard-drive. Really sad, I should not be so comfortable with having my privacy invaded!

I don't mind it so much on the XBox because it's not like I'm keeping private journals or copyrighted originals on there, they already got my credit card info when I signed up for Live Gold, and if they really want to know what movies I'm watching they can just call Netflix and ask them.

 

[300lb. Samoan]

Somebody, somewhere is alread working on a workaround for this. To most pirates, I assume this would be nothing more than a temporary setback, and Microsoft waving around their victory flag is going to do nothing but give the pirates more reason to go after them.

Yep. Hackers always see these things as a new challenge, if they didn't they wouldn't be hackers in the first place. That's the essence of hacking: whatever it is you can find a workaround.

 

[Legion]

Good on them.

Ah! So it bans the hardware and not the account. That's good to hear. Of course that means Microsoft has some way of tapping directly into individual systems to check for modifications, I assume.

This slightly worries me. Actually, it worries me quite a lot. Don't get me wrong, I'm no modder, I'm just really into mah civul liberteez.

You give them up when you join things such as Xbox Live (although only in relation to Xbox Live of course. That's what user agreements are for.

MS wasn't being nice keeping the account is just their way of encouraging people to buy a new console

True, but getting rid of the accounts too would mean they need a new console and a new account.

 

[Doc Theta Sigma]

Good for them. I've heard people whining about being banned just as they were about to play Modern Warfare 2. Too bad. They broke the User Agreement. Live with the consequences.

 

[esperandote]

MS wasn't being nice keeping the account is just their way of encouraging people to buy a new console

True, but getting rid of the accounts too would mean they need a new console and a new account.[/quote]

yeah but having to play over again could have disencourage people to buy new console

 

[davidboring]

Ah! So it bans the hardware and not the account. That's good to hear. Of course that means Microsoft has some way of tapping directly into individual systems to check for modifications, I assume.

This slightly worries me. Actually, it worries me quite a lot. Don't get me wrong, I'm no modder, I'm just really into mah civul liberteez.

True that - I'd normally be really skeptical about getting Windows 7, but my desktop needs a new OS so bad I don't care anymore if Big Bill takes a peek at my hard-drive. Really sad, I should not be so comfortable with having my privacy invaded!

I don't mind it so much on the XBox because it's not like I'm keeping private journals or copyrighted originals on there, they already got my credit card info when I signed up for Live Gold, and if they really want to know what movies I'm watching they can just call Netflix and ask them.

Hm. This is a good point, to be fair. I suppose I'm just sensitive because I don't want people in some Microsoft office somewhere laughing at my pathetic devotion to Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 or the fact that I only have 5 gamerpoints from Halo 3.

 

[Vanguard_Ex]

And so they shouldn't be. They did a good thing.

 

[Terrorist_school_drop-out]

Well, I guess having a modded console AND staying LIVE is stupid on behalf of the person owning a moded console, so serves them right for beeing that stupid...............Oh yeah and piracy is bad.

 

[warbaloon]

It isn't like I don't sympathize with AU gamers. Or really see the need for this country gets the game release first. We do have to play by their rules though.

We do?

 

[cleverlymadeup]

Ah! So it bans the hardware and not the account. That's good to hear. Of course that means Microsoft has some way of tapping directly into individual systems to check for modifications, I assume.

This slightly worries me. Actually, it worries me quite a lot. Don't get me wrong, I'm no modder, I'm just really into mah civul liberteez.

this has nothing to do with civil liberties

as for how they know, there's a certain hash that reports to live when you connect, it's a fairly well known process

frankly i don't have an issue with this and i think it's rather funny they all got banned, i think they should ban the accounts too

 

[300lb. Samoan]

Ah! So it bans the hardware and not the account. That's good to hear. Of course that means Microsoft has some way of tapping directly into individual systems to check for modifications, I assume.

This slightly worries me. Actually, it worries me quite a lot. Don't get me wrong, I'm no modder, I'm just really into mah civul liberteez.

True that - I'd normally be really skeptical about getting Windows 7, but my desktop needs a new OS so bad I don't care anymore if Big Bill takes a peek at my hard-drive. Really sad, I should not be so comfortable with having my privacy invaded!

I don't mind it so much on the XBox because it's not like I'm keeping private journals or copyrighted originals on there, they already got my credit card info when I signed up for Live Gold, and if they really want to know what movies I'm watching they can just call Netflix and ask them.

Hm. This is a good point, to be fair. I suppose I'm just sensitive because I don't want people in some Microsoft office somewhere laughing at my pathetic devotion to Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 or the fact that I only have 5 gamerpoints from Halo 3.

Laughing? They're probably toasting! If anything they're wondering why you aren't hopelessly devoted to Halo 3 like everyone else that's been drinking the XBox kool-aid for the last 4 years. But you have a good point as well, where do we draw the line at companies using 'service rendered' as a gateway to unmitigated access to our personal files?

 

[GonzoGamer]

Not horribly surprised they're not apologetic. People are still sticking to the million figure? I thought that came from a spoof "news" article.

Why would they be apologetic? They knew what they were doing. Sure they may have pissed off a few people that don't end up helping their attach rates anyway but they probably got a huge boost in hardware sales as a result of people's 360s breaking.

It's probably the best thing to happen to the 360's hardware sales since the rrod first hit.

 

[davidboring]

Laughing? They're probably toasting! If anything they're wondering why you aren't hopelessly devoted to Halo 3 like everyone else that's been drinking the XBox kool-aid for the last 4 years.

Seeing as this is a fictional Microsoft office, they're probably rueing their missed $60...

But you have a good point as well, where do we draw the line at companies using 'service rendered' as a gateway to unmitigated access to our personal files?

We missed our opportunity to draw any line when we started not reading 'the small print' all those many years ago. Personally, I know I abuse privacy at my job whenever I'm handed a CV and I want a good chuckle to myself... But I feel we're walking slightly off topic.

 

[IrrelevantTangent]

I don't really blame them. From what they've said themselves, Microsoft only banned people that went out of their way to modify their consoles to play pirated games. I don't have any sympathy for people who pirate games, and even the crappy American economy doesn't justify not paying for games. And it's not as if you can ever even get away with it scot-free, as this event proves.

 

[GamingAwesome1]

"Unapologetic?" They should be, pirates don't really deserve to get away with it. Whenever someone pirates a really awesome game, I slap them and tell them to go buy it, the company who made the kick ass game deserves the money in return.